Archives for Makom Families

April 27: Shabbat-Pesah Morning Services & Snack Kiddush

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Join us for extra-joyous Shabbat-Passover morning services, followed by a light kiddush (snacks and socializing)!

In addition to usual services and Torah and haftarah reading, we’ll sing Hallel (Psalms of praise sung on holidays) and chant Shir ha-Shirim (Song of Songs, a Biblical book of love poetry).

Please bring a packaged, certified-kosher-for-Passover snack to share.

Supervised childcare will be provided in Makom’s playroom during services.

Free, but please register by Thursday, April 25 so we know how many folks to expect.

Register by clicking here.

Donations greatly appreciated!

Please try to come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.

*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Aug 19: Family Shabbat Afternoon in the Park

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Saturday, August 19
4:30-6:30pm
@Vermont Square Park (map)
Free – donations greatly appreciated
B.Y.O. Picnic Dinner, Blanket & Water Bottle

Register Now!

Join other downtown Jewish families for a special Shabbat in the Park + Picnic! Enjoy some playground time, outdoor games and songs in a relaxed environment.

B.Y.O. Picnic Dinner, Blanket & Water Bottle, etc.
We’ll provide grape juice & mini-hallah rolls.

Geared for families with children ages 0-11. All families welcome, including LGBTQ+ and interfaith/intercultural families!

In the event of rain, the program is cancelled.

Any Qs? Email Racheli Mandleker, Makom’s Director of Youth Education & Programming.

July 8: Family Shabbat Service + Lunch

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Got kids? Join us and other families for upbeat, abridged Shabbat morning family services, followed by Shabbat lunch!

Saturday July 8
10:00AM-12:30PM
@Makom (map)
Various price options available so finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation.
Services do not require registration.

Services are geared for kids who just finished grades 1-5, but all families with kids are welcome.

Services are egalitarian with mixed seating, and will include prayers, songs, a Torah story and discussion to meaningfully engage adults and children together. Services will be led by Makom’s Director of Youth Education & Programming, Racheli Mandelker, and Rabbi Aaron.

At lunch, we’ll enjoy a  home-cooked, delicious vegan & kosher meal together.

Lunch registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Registration deadline: Thursday, July 6.

Become a Makom Member first to save 10%.

Services don’t require registration.

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Register Now

April 2: Matzah Bake in the Park

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Join us for a fun afternoon making and baking Matzah in an outdoor, wood-burning oven!

Sunday, April 2
3:00pm – 5:00pm
@Dufferin Grove Park – 875 Dufferin St (map)
Find us at the north-west corner of Dufferin Grove Park, near the ice rink.

Presented by Makom in partnership with Miles Nadal JCC, PJ Library and Camp Shomria.

Join us for a fun afternoon making and baking Matzah in an outdoor, wood-burning oven! See if you can mix, knead, roll and bake in 18 minutes or less!  Note: Matzah won’t be kosher for Passover but it’s still a wonderful way to prepare for Pesah.

All ages and abilities welcome! Kiddos will enjoy Passover stories read by our friends from PJ Library. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Public washrooms should be open.

Register Now

Mar 31: Interfaith* Families Shabbat Dinner

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Wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with other interfaith families and children!

Friday, March 31
6:00pm – 8:00pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
Registration required – sign up here.
Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Presented by Makom and Jewish&.

Join us to learn about and participate in traditional Shabbat rituals and songs in warm, supportive community; and enjoy a delicious, catered kosher vegetarian Shabbat dinner together.

*interfaith, multicultural, mixed heritage, Jewish&, etc. LGBTQ+ families warmly welcome!

Looking for a couples only dinner? Join us on March 17 for an interfaith couples Shabbat dinner.

Accessibility Information
Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us

Register Now

Feb 5: Family Tu bi-Shvat Seder + Pizza Dinner

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A tree with sunlight streaming through its branches


Sun, Feb 5
5-7pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
$15 adults/teens, $10 kids (10% discount for Makom Members)
Registration Required by Thurs, Feb 2

Celebrate Tu bi-Shvat – the Jewish New Year for Trees – with a special seder for families!

  • Family-based learning about the holiday
  • Fun activities
  • Fruits
  • Grape juice
  • Pizza
  • Salad
  • Dessert

Geared for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents, grandparents, and guardians.
Limited space; register by Thursday, Feb 2!

If cost presents a hardship for you, please contact Rabbi Aaron.

Aug 12: Family Friday Night in the Park + Picnic

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Cartoon drawing of yellow sun and tree with red apples. Text reads "Shabbat In The Park".


Fri, Aug 12
5-7pm
@ Vermont Square Park
Registration Required by Thurs, Aug 11

Join us in the park to welcome Shabbat and celebrate Tu be-Av – the Jewish holiday of love!

Enjoy some time on the playground, PJ Library story time, a song and craft for the holiday, and family-friendly Shabbat activities in a relaxed environment.  

BYO Picnic dinner; we’ll provide hallah and grape juice! 

We invite all family members to wear white, an ancient custom for Tu be-Av.

Families MUST pre-register by Thurs, Aug 11, as we will not be registering families at the park. As spots are limited, please let us know ASAP if you are no longer able to attend. Please register for each person attending.

We are committed to accessibility. Please email Lauren or call 416-924-6211 to let us know about your access needs as soon as possible.

Presented in partnership with Families @ the J & PJ Library

July 16: Family Shabbat Afternoon in the Park + Picnic

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Sat, July 16
4:30-6:30pm
@Vermont Square Park (map)
Free – donations greatly appreciated!
Registration required

Join other downtown Jewish families for a special Shabbat in the Park + Picnic!

Schedule
4:30 Kids play in the park & splash pad
5:15 Story from the parashah (weekly Torah portion) & family activities
6:00 Picnic dinner

B.Y.O. Picnic Dinner & Water Bottle

We’ll provide watermelon!

Activities geared for families with kids 0-10 years old; separate groups for younger and older kids.

In the event of rain, the program is cancelled.

Any Qs? Email Ariel.

Presented in partnership with PJ Library

Its Apple-Picking Time!

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Hurrah, it’s that time again! Join Makom Families at Avalon Orchards

Apple-picking time again, HURRAH!

Apple-picking time is here again.

Sunday, Sept 6

Get ready for Rosh Hashanah and spend a beautiful afternoon outside with kids and friends of Makom, apple-picking at Avalon Orchards in Innisfil.

Please bring a picnic lunch and a blanket — and BYOB (bags). The day begins at 11:30 at Avalon Orchards, located at 3150 5 Line in Innisfil just south of Barrie. Directions on Avalon Orchards’ website here. Google map directions here.

11:30  Meet outside at Avalon Orchards

11:45   Kids: Storytime and Rosh Hashanah crafts with Jen;

Adults: Making Rosh Hashanah meaningful, with Rabbi Aaron

12:15   Picnic lunch together

12:45  Apple picking

Please bring strong grocery bags to hold all your apples! Avalon supplies wagons to help you get your haul to your vehicle.

apple picking

Whoa that’s a lotta apples, kid.

If you have space in your vehicle and are able to give others a ride, please let Jen Turack know — and thank you!

Add this event to your family calendar now. Friends are of course welcome.

In the event of heavy rainfall the program is cancelled.

Shabbat in the Park

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Saturday Aug 15

5-7pm at Vermont Square Park – 819 Palmerston Ave.
It’s Shabbat in the Park time again!

watermelon, shabbat, shabbat in the park

photo: Matt Raoul

Come chill with some watermelon and Makom

5:00 Adults hang out & kids play in Vermont Square Park (Palmerston, south of Dupont)

5:30 Get ready for High Holidays: Adult learning with Rabbi Aaron Levy

PJ Library storytime and activities for school-age kids with Jen Turack, Makom’s Director of Education and Family Programming

A taste of Shabbat Family Party for preschoolers & their grown-ups, with Kohenet Annie Matan of MNjcc

6:15 Picnic: Bring your dinner and a blanket – Makom will provide watermelon. Feel free to bring kids’ bathing suits for the wading pool.

All are welcome. Hope you can join us!

In the event of rain, the program is cancelled.